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An all-star cast in this hilarious off-beat comedy about a hapless married man (Dylan Walsh) with a dead-end life in the dead-end town. After he is encouraged by a stranger (Danny DeVito) he begins to dream again and musters the nerve to take back his life and reinvigorate his town.
A quirky independent film featuring some strong acting by an eclectic cast, Just Add Water captures the desolate spirit of a group of trailer park inhabitants who have little hope of ever escaping their mundane lives. Ray (Dylan Walsh, Nip/Tuck) works as a parking-lot attendant who, like many of the town's inhabitants, is at the mercy of the local babyfaced drug dealer Dirk (Will Rothhaar). Flush with money from his meth business, Dirk is now the town's primary landlord and he takes a no-holds barred attitude when it comes to collecting rent from tenants who barely have enough money to survive. Trapped in an apathetic marriage to the agoraphobic Charlene, Ray enjoys some normal moments with their teenage son Eddie (Jonah Hill, Superbad). Father and son also share an experience neither would want to be reminded of when Ray tries to help Eddie lose his virginity, something Eddie clearly has issues with. Directed and written by actor Hart Bochner, Just Add Water works as an intriguing dark comedy. The casting is spot-on, with a nice appearance by Danny DeVito as an would-be oilman who could make life for these people just a little easier. --Jae-Ha Kim
this is a funny funny movieReviewed by girl next door, 2010-02-10
If you know where Trona is, if you know where Ridgecrest is, if you know what the people are like there- this is a funny funny movie. Cute sweet story about a good guy (nice eye candy) and how he is pushed to stand up for himself and his love. Seriously, take it in the context it is filmed- where it is filmed and you'll be rolling.
just add water reviewReviewed by Anthony Divietri, 2009-06-12
i ordered the dvd for just add water and received it within 3-4 days as promised from seller. The item was exactly what the seller had specified.
Trona in another universeReviewed by Linda L. Robinett, 2009-06-07
The movie was a very enjoyable film with ironic humor. The story
and the acting are worth while but what makes this film unique is
the town it takes place in.
It was actually filmed in Trona and the nearby Pinnacles. Those are
authentic. I just want to set the record straight. I am from
Ridgecrest, CA where Ray, the main character works. There are no
parking structures in Ridgecrest. The land is cheap so all parking
is free and on large open lots.
Trona and the chemical plant that created it were founded in the
late 1800's and the plant is still in operation and the town is not
a toxic waste site. Things don't grow because water is
expensive.
The grocery store is now open and I am not certain if they have a
operating gas station right now. The high school is still open and
they play 8-Man football on a dirt field.
There was a lake there once but it was prehistoric and the
Pinnacles are emerging from what was the lake bottom. The Owens
River is located north of Ridgecrest in the Owens Valley and is
separated from Trona by several significant geographical features
and distance. LA did not steal Trona's water. Trona is dry because
of natural climate change over thousands of years.
There is a significant Meth problem but the town is patrolled by
the San Bernardino Sheriff's department so good people can enjoy
life there.
I realize this is not a movie review but I just had to set the
record straight.
The movie was good enough that locals do enjoy it. The one very
realistic thing in the movie is the depiction of the Trona spirit.
That poor little town as the best community spirit in the world.
Ray and his friends really do show that spirit.
HometownReviewed by F. Nicholson, 2008-09-27
A goofy movie about my hometown. While the landscape is fairly accurate from an outsiders point of view, there is more to Trona than the movie portrays. After all, who else can claim a dirt football field and golf course. And it was a great place to grow up in the 50's and 60's.
good movieReviewed by liz007, 2008-07-05
bob loblaw.this isn't really a deep movie.in a nutshell it's about reclaiming what is already yours.the reasons to watch it are it's wonderfully acted and weird and quirky in a funny, familiar way.